Portable computer supporting paging functions

Abstract

A portable computer is described that contains a circuit for receiving pages and performing security functions based on the received page. Once a page has been received by the portable computer, the computer's hard drive can be automatically reformatted, or the portable computer can be prevented from booting. In addition, the portable computer can be programmed to use a modem to automatically dial a security center and transmit security information such as the Caller ID Tag of the current telephone number.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A computing device comprising: 
       a microprocessor;  
       a wireless receiver;  
       a memory having a resettable status flag stored therein, wherein the status of the flag is determined by information received via said wireless receiver; and  
       a memory coupled to said microprocessor having a boot program stored therein, said boot program being executed by said microprocessor upon application of electrical power to said microprocessor, wherein said boot program is operative to cause said microprocessor to retrieve said resettable status flag, and terminate further performance of said boot program if said resettable status flag is in a pre-defined state.  
     
     
       2. The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein said memory having a resettable status flag stored therein comprises an EEPROM. 
     
     
       3. A programmed storage device having a boot program for a portable computer stored therein, said boot program comprising instructions which when performed by a microprocessor performs a boot sequence comprising the steps of: 
       retrieving a resettable status flag from a memory associated with a wireless receiver, said resettable status flag having at least first and second states;  
       completing boot sequence performance if said resettable status flag is in said first state; and  
       terminating boot sequence performance if said resettable status flag is in said second state.  
     
     
       4. The programmed storage device of  claim 3 , wherein said method additionally comprises performing a security command before terminating boot sequence performance. 
     
     
       5. The programmed storage device of  claim 4 , wherein performing said security command comprises altering existing data stored on a disk drive in said portable computer. 
     
     
       6. The programmed storage device of  claim 3 , wherein said method additionally comprises retrieving at least a portion of a page message.